OpenRoad Driver Volume 12 Issue 1 | Page 94

92 » OpenRoad Driver EXTRAS Pure Love: Passion Wines by Roslyne Buchanan Perhaps the word passion is bandied about so broadly, its meaning is lost in the purest sense. Yet when you witness people invest heart and soul into their work, another person or a cause, there’s no other word that rings as true. I left the Okanagan in the late 1970s and returned recently to discover the amazing evolution of the wine industry and its culinary partners. That kind of progress doesn’t just happen. It takes leadership, sacrifice, tenacity and love. Called nectar of the gods, wine resonates with “the way to one’s heart is through the stomach.” We thought it’d be fun to ask four passionate wineries for two romantic wines with food pairings. » Bestowed Intervin International Wine Awards’ Winery of the Year 2014/15, Painted Rock Estate Winery prides itself as “an extension of a family.” Exploring wineries in southern France, the Skinners dreamt of their own vineyard and the name honours family traditions. Painted Rock refers to ancient pictographs that John discovered on rocks beyond the vineyards, hearkening back to his childhood digging for artifacts with his father. Recognizing the historic significance, John learned from local First Nations that the pictographs are symbolic of a spirit walk, or coming of age. Painted Rock tributes family, community and the winery’s goals to embrace old-world traditions alongside the imagination of the new world. It strives to “craft superlative wines from 100% estate-grown fruit unlocking the unique potential” of its terroir while emphasizing sustainability and quality. “We are getting better and so are the wines,” says Skinner. The ultra-modern facility overlooks Penticton’s eastern shore of Skaha Lake and sparkles like a diamond drenched in light on the vineyard bench. Pairing partner is Kelowna’s RauDZ Regional Table and its “support local, buy local and eat and drink local” philosophy. “Creating an amazing dining experience for guests is our focus so our wines are